Iraq sends troops to recapture IS-held city in Anbar

12 Sep 2017 - 10:03

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ANBAR, Iraq: Military reinforcements have been sent to the outskirts of the city of Anah in Iraq’s western Anbar province in advance of fresh army operations to retake the city from IS, an Iraqi military source said Monday.

“We have stepped up our troop strength around the city,” Army Colonel Walid al-Duleimi said, noting that Iraq forces deployed to the area were accompanied by advisors from a U.S.-led coalition.

“Along with troops, the reinforcements include arms, combat tanks and other equipment,” al-Duleimi told Anadolu Agency.

Anah was overrun by the terrorist group three years ago following the withdrawal of Iraqi forces -- without a fight -- from the area.

IS, which overran much of northern and western Iraq in mid-2014, has recently suffered a string of defeats at the hands of Iraqi security forces and the U.S.-led coalition.

Last month, the group was driven from the Tal Afar district in the northern Nineveh province. The month before that, the city of Mosul -- once the capital of IS's self-proclaimed “caliphate” -- fell to the army after a nine-month campaign.